FX 35 loaner, initial impressions.

[Britishbloke]

Well, since Monday I've been lucky enough too get an FX35 as my loaner and as excited as i was too spend a few days getting too know this vehicle, I have too say I have some mixed feelings.

From an exterior standpoint the FX is asthtically stunning ( well, apart from the ugly rubber roof antanna. My wife is considering getting rid of her Grand cherokee limited and this is the car she thinks she wants in September. From an interior standpoint I think the car is well exceuted and has some fantastic features like real aluminum, tasteful leather upholstery and great legroom, but here are the things that turn me off:

1.) The incredibly busy dash layout
2.) The lack of space in the rear storage area.
3.) The cheesy shift knob that seems too want too go into neutral with the merest push from drive.
4.) And this is my biggest problem, the lacklustre performance of the engine.

Overall, the car looks brilliant and perorms well when it should. I think I expected more from the V6, but was let down a little. Some of the interior asthetics are personal gripes, but i almost think that for a vehicle in this price range there should be some improvements made to bring this vehicle up too the standards of similary priced SUV's. Just my opinion and the Fx is still a contender for my wife's next car, I just think the FX45 might be a better choice.

[infinitig20]

I think you can get all the options of the FX45 on the 35, like:
rearview camera, 20" wheels, etc... The only thing the FX45 got over the 35 is the v8 power. If you want the 315 horsepower, 300+ torque then go for the 45. My friend just bought one with all the options for exactly 50 grand. I think he saves around 5 thousands. The torque on the FX45 is intoxicating, every time you step on the gas, you can feel the power instantly. On the other hand, what would you do with all those power on an SUV. If it was me, I would go for the FX35. Like I said earlier, you can get all the options as the 45, just have to pay a little more for it. 280 horses is good enough: way more than the LExus RX330.

[GX9901]

We just bought a loaded FX35 minus sport package for my wife. I can understand all the turn offs you've listed, but here's my take:

1) The "busy" dash layout is not too much worse than the one found in the G35. I guess being a techo-junkie, I actually like having a lot of buttons.
2) The storage space is definitely small compared to the other SUVs (seem smaller than even my wife's previous CR-V). But that's a trade-off I'm willing to take for the styling and performance of the car.
3) Not sure what you mean by the cheesy shift knob. I've never tried to push the shifter when it's in 'D'. It feels pretty much the same as the one in my coupe (early '04), and it's exactly the same as the shifter found in later '04 coupes.
4) I can see how one could say the FX35 engine lacks performance, especially from a G35 driver. The FX felt respectable to me. However, after driving the FX, I hop into my G coupe and it felt faster than ever! I guess that's what happens when the same V6 has to tow around like 800 extra pounds in the FX.

I think the thing is you must compare the FX to something in its class and see if it's the right car for you. I test drove the FX and the RX330 and the FX is way more fun to drive. When I need to haul a lot of stuff, I can always borrow my dad's Navigator.[img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

2004 G35 Coupe Diamond Graphite/Graphite 5AT
Premium, Nav., 18" Wheels, Z-Xtreme Hyper Grounding Cables,
K&N filter, Clear Corners, 350Z Aluminum Pedals,
Sony Ericsson HCB-30

[g35girl]

"4.) And this is my biggest problem, the lacklustre performance of the engine."

do you think that is because it's a loaner car? the loaner sedans that i've driven are pretty crappy and so abused.

.g35girl.

[Britishbloke]

Well, I may have been a little harsh initially. After 4 days of the Fx35 it grew on me more & more. I suppose my biggest problem is that I'm not a huge fan of SUV's.
The vehicle is a work of art, the powertrain was adequate, but in all honesty I think it comes down too the fact that SUV's are not my cup of tea. My wife thought it was brilliant and said it would be a consideration when she get's rid of her 2001 Grand Cherokee Limited later this year. For me it would be great too have this in my garage, or another nice SUV as long as it's not my car.